How You Can Help Us

Make sure you understand your treatment - ask questions if you are uncertain.

Patients are responsible for their own health and the health of their children, and should co-operate with the practice in endeavouring to keep themselves healthy. We give you professional help and advice - please act on it!

Do not waste time.....

If you cannot keep an appointment let us know promptly. We can then see another patient in your place.

We expect that patients will understand that appointments are for one person only. Additional appointments should be made for more than one person.

Be considerate and honest when asking for an urgent surgery appointment, home visit or out-of-hours care.

Ask yourself if the problem can wait a little longer.

Don't ask for a house-call unless the patient is truly confined to bed and would be at risk if moved by car or taxi.

Remember that house-calls are at the doctor's discretion. They are very time-consuming and we can see three or four patients at the surgery in the time it takes to do one house-call. Ask us for guidelines if you are unsure when it is appropriate to call us out during the day or night.

It is important to bear in mind most medical problems are dealt with more effectively in the clinical setting of a well equipped surgery.

Out-of-hours care (ie after 6.00pm or at the weekend) is for problems of an emergency nature that have suddenly and unexpectedly arisen. Other problems should be saved for surgery hours. Remember that the doctor who is on call at night has already worked a full day and may also work a full day after their night on call. Please bear this in mind.

Many problems can be solved with advice alone, therefore patients should not always expect a prescription.

We ask that patients treat the staff and doctors with courtesy and respect. Bear in mind that reception staff have a very difficult job to do, juggling with limited resources and without detailed medical knowledge. They are trying to do their best for you.